HELP! - Im in the RED by lunch.

You can eat fast food, but PORTION CONTROL. No need to order anything but a small. Divide the meal in 1/2 and only eat the half!

Avoid everything with fried in the title. Look for baked or grilled in the title. Pick a meal with steamed veggies or raw veggies. Don't drink your calories (go for water only). Don't eat the free foods provided (chips, rolls, etc), they add an average of 500 calories to your meal. Ask the server what they recommend and customize everything you can (no mayo, dressing on side to dip your fork in, no butter, no sour cream).

Taco Bell has their FRESCO menu...I get two fresco soft chicken tacos for 300 cals total...or Carl's Jr Turkey Burger for 490 cals I think. It's still possible!

Hi there,

Check out Everyday Food magazine in your grocery checkout. It's a good little food magazine. You can eat healthy food for less. Frozen veggies are cheaper than fresh and you are not losing any nutritional value. You can buy meat in larger sizes and freeze the leftover for use in the future.

Also, for healthy snacks check out www.snackgirl.com

Oh and check out the forums on here, a lot of people post easy, healthy, inexpensive meals to make (you can use the search tool in the forums).

Good luck!

I just ate a juicy ham & swiss sandwich & hearty cup of soup for less than 400 calories - super delicious - you can add me & look at my diary if you want.
Just a reminder - purchasing & preparing your own food is healthier and you BURN CALORIES PREPARING it! don't burn as many calories in a drive-thru - I've made a rule NOT to use the drive thru - if I MUST have fast food, get out of the car and walk in (will give me time to change my mind)

fast food eating is a challenge. you know i don't want the salad, but that is healthier. i know for me that i get sick if i eat all the things i love in fast food too much. there are some good options on different fast food menus. where do you live? around here in DC we have a great new soup place called Zoup! where I can get some healthier options. And at Wendy's I can eat the baked potato and chili or can order a grilled chicken without fries. also, places like subway have the mini subs which are tiny but for me are actually enough.

so it depends a lot on where you live and what the options are.

Hey I understand your pain. I love fast food. Well not its kind of a love/hate relationship. I suggest first going to eatthis.menshealth.com/ It will help you with making healthier choices at fast food spots and other restaurants. Also if you are eating a lot of frozen foods. Read the labels! Check all things not just calories, and fats. Check sodium you want it to be around 600mg or less. My diary is open but I'm currently doing Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 Meal Plan. Feel free to check back entries for April-May. Good luck!

Just a couple quick tips from looking at your diary for the last couple of days. Skip the sugary soda & opt for water or a diet drink.
Go for grilled foods or salads (watch out for the Salad dressings though) when you can. Get a side salad or fruit cup if you can instead of fries. I simply skip the fries most of the time. If nothing else, watch your portions. Eat one hot dog, not two! 1/2 cup of something instead of 1.

Don't worry, with time and practice, you'll get better at it.

This! but I also noticed the fried rice... Most chinese will sub that out for steamed white/brown rice instead... WAY less calories...

Feel free to add if you need motivation or another MFP friend.

if i am traveling and have to eat fast food i tend to stop into wendy's. a grilled chicken sandwich (no mayo and ditch at least half the bun), a baked potato with a bit of salt and pepper, some apple slices or a side salad.

Hi Maggie,
I know how you feel, that is how I gained most of my weight.. Now if I do eat out at a fast food place, such as McDonalds I will order double cheese burger or double hamburger, have them add lots of pickles and onions, and then I will ask for a fork and not eat the bread, also I will order the fruit and walnut snack or a fruit parfait and a diet drink, or water . Go online and check the calories for McDonalds @ http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/nutritionfacts.pdf, It took me looking at the amount of calories to change my way of ordering. Good luck..


Day 2 HELP! - Im in the RED by lunch.

Im Maggie.

Obviously, I dont have a clue. I am getting huge!!! (food is my only guilty pleasure.) :devil:

Problem: due to circumstances at the moment, I am eating all my meals out. Fast food & Cheap.

Need suggestions, and friends who I can look at their meal plans. :huh:

Thanks!
[/quote]

First, make the switch to skim milk. Do it gradually; right now start using 2%. When you're used to that, go to 1%, then finally to skim. You'll be saving 60-70 calories (and a whole lot of fat) by using skim.

Next, I agree with the portion control. I think most people get used to eating such large portions because they eat so quickly and because it's in front of them. Only serve yourself a small amount. Then eat slowly, taking time to taste each bite. Some people set their fork down between each bit, others take a sip of water between each bite. Either strategy (or another) works. You'll be surprised at how little you can feel satisfied on when you slow down. (It actually takes the body 10-15 minute from when you start eating for satiety to kick in, so even if you eat a giant meal in 5 minutes you won't feel full!) I also had to teach myself that just because something is a good deal money-wise doesn't mean I should eat it. "Value meals" really aren't.

I agree that eating out and fast food can fit into a healthy lifestyle, but I would put a serious halt on them right now. I only looked at today's diary, but it was the chinese that killed your calories. Any fast food place will do the same (I found myself at McD's yesterday and got a copy of their nutritional info, yikes!!). Part of it is the portions they serve, and part of it is that the food just isn't that healthy. Get in the habit of packing a lunch (or eating at home) and filling it with plenty of nutrient rich foods. You can have a tuna fish sandwich for about 400 calories (depending on how much mayo and the kind of bread), carrot sticks for less than 100, and an apple or peach for a sweet ending for about 80-100. That's just one example. Lowfat yogurt, other sandwiches - made from whole grain bread and lean meats, again with portion control - other veggies and fruits, etc are great ways to fill up at lunch. Plan and prepare healthy dinners, as well, and leftovers from those can also make great lunches.

Don't forget to exercise. It increases the amount of calories your body uses during the day, but it is also good for you in so many other ways! Regular physical activity is important to a healthy lifestyle!

You've gotten lot of great ideas here. You can also consider ice tea instead of soda if you can keep from sweetening it. I might also take a look at your breakfast choices. Maybe a bowl of cereal instead of eggs? If you're eating out a lot, then i doubt you need more protein. Maybe pack an apple instead of a whole lunch. Then you can eat a sandwich from the restaurant and your apple. I also didn't see any exercise. Exercise allows you more calories to eat. i like to use my Wii but even just walking in place during commercials can add up.

totally agree. I pack a lunch every day, I have an icepack in a thermal lunch bag and I use the microwave at work if something needs heated, plus I almost always pack fresh fruit or some veggies.

Taco Bell has their FRESCO menu...I get two fresco soft chicken tacos for 300 cals total...or Carl's Jr Turkey Burger for 490 cals I think. It's still possible!

I LOVE the turkey burger at Carl's Jr. You can cut more calories too if you get it as the low carb option, wrapped in lettuce. YUM!

YUMMY!!! I didn't think of that! I LOVE the lettuce wraps too, didn't think I could have it anymore...but I can with a turkey patty!!!!

HI! You can add me and we can do it together because I eat fast food too, some days my choices are better than other days but I tried myfitnesspal before, and the way I started was keeping track of what I eat already, this way I can see how BAD it is! and eventually begin making better choices. I started back this week, i take it one day at a time. I'm proof that changing your eating habits overnight can often be worse because you stress, overwhelm yourself and fall for temptation. When you see what you are eating today, can help you make better choices tomorrow. It works for me